The Baltimore Ravens currently stand at 8-6 after losing to the Green Bay Packers in Week 15. The loss catapulted them out of the AFC North lead, while the Cincinnati Bengals were able to best the Denver Broncos, moving to 8-6 and taking the lead in the division due to holding the tiebreaker over Baltimore.
The Ravens and the Bengals will face off in a massive Week 16 matchup that could have huge implications on not only the division winner, but playoff seeding as well. Cincinnati took the first contest between the two teams in 2021, winning 41-17 in Week 7. After the game, Bengals cornerback Eli Apple mocked Baltimore’s “Big Truss” motto.
Bengals CB Eli Apple with a “Big Truss,” a Baltimore catchphrase, and then some in the postgame aftermath. pic.twitter.com/ItRpJpzisd
— Santa Baby (@Ben_Baby) October 24, 2021
After Week 15, Apple called out both Ravens fans and Baltimore quarterback Lamar Jackson, saying that the Week 16 bout will be “big smoke” for Baltimore fans while Jackson is going to be “generous” by throwing interceptions.
Can’t wait for that ravens game their fans was talkin all that mess last time it’s big smoke for them
— Eli Apple (@EliApple) December 20, 2021
Next week Lamar gone be generous https://t.co/I2Btmp4m5Z
— Eli Apple (@EliApple) December 20, 2021
Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen responded to Apple, saying he’s worrying about the wrong thing, to which Apple disagreed.
Not at all my brotha
— Eli Apple (@EliApple) December 20, 2021
Apple finished Week 7 against Baltimore with just one total tackle, but it’s safe to say he’ll be looking to make more plays in the second matchup between the two teams. Meanwhile, the Ravens have gotten plenty of bulletin board material, something they responded to well in Week 17 of last year after Cincinnati linebacker Germaine Pratt predicted that the Bengals would beat Baltimore and send them home. The Ravens instead won 38-3.
Nope over for them
— Germaine Pratt (@GermainePratt7) January 1, 2021